20 Things I’ve Learned in 20 Years

Today’s my 20th birthday and I don’t even know how that happened. It’s as though I blinked in August and now everyone and everything seems to believe it’s December and I’m just in shock. Not unhappy or in denial, just generally stunned. Does time pass faster as you get older, or just busier?

Either way, I got the idea from this Thought Catalog post to do a 20 Things I’ve Learned in 20 Years post, so here goes nothing.

Things really do work out the way they’re meant to. The people you meet, the college you go to, the inevitable misadventures and strands of moments that have made you who you are today… all of it. So don’t waste your time worrying. If it’s meant to happen and you’re out there always doing your best, it will.

Change is inevitable. As hard as it is sometimes, we need to embrace the fact that nothing is ever exactly the same as it was one second ago. It will always happen, even if so slightly that one day you end up staring, fascinated at yourself in the mirror, trying to decide if you like this person better than the old one. Enjoy it.

We all make our fair share of mistakes. Own up to them, learn from them, right any wrongs, and move on. You’ll be a better person for it.

You’re going to accomplish some pretty amazing things. Work hard regardless and be thankful when it happens.

Do more of what you love and what makes you happy and you’ll never be sorry. You don’t have to have it all figured out. As long as you’re spending your time on the things that matter to you the rest has a way of sorting itself out.

Finding and keeping great friends is crucial. It may not always be easy, but people need other people like plants need the sun. So hang out with them whenever you can, keep in touch, and don’t be afraid to tell them you love them because

It’s always worth the extra effort to show someone they’re loved. Take it from movies like Love, Actually. Even if it doesn’t seem to help on the surface, it always does.

Know your priorities.

Ditch the electronic devices whenever possible. Give people your undivided attention when you sit down to talk with them. It makes all the difference in the world. Facebook can wait. The person in front of you shouldn’t have to.

Celebrate everything.

Taking care of yourself is not an option. Your body is your greatest tool. Act accordingly.

Learn from everything.

Experience the world as much as you can. Go on a road trip. Fly to another country for the weekend. Even if it’s just experiencing part of someone else’s world for a little while, just make the effort to go beyond your comfort zone. You’ll always come out a better, more empathetic person for it.

You can’t trust everyone, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Some people are going to hurt you whether they intend to or not. Chalk it up to human imperfection, let it go, and be open to finding someone more deserving.

Vulnerability is power. Being open and genuine for some reason is practically revolutionary today, and therefore has an incredible effect. Do it more often and you’ll see what I mean.

Honesty is sexy.

Never lose your childlike sense of play. Build a fort in your living room. Turn walking upstairs into a mini-race, paint things with your fingers, play hide-and-go-seek and see how happy it makes you to act like a kid again.

Life is too short to waste time on things that don’t make you happy.

Kindness will never go out of style. Even if you don’t have a reason to, just being considerate and understanding to those around you is as classy as it gets.

Just have fun. Wherever you are right now, just get out there and make the most of it. Other people don’t control you or your happiness. You do.